[a/n] This is the last chapter of this fic. I'm very happy about how it turned out. There will be an epilogue, so look for that . I also want to take this time to thank Deplora and Ezri-Candy especially for helping me along with this chapter. Thanks so much!

Disclaimer: I own nothing except Caine Stokes.

"Why do I always seem to be waking up?" Yuffie asked as she clutched a cup of green tea in her hands. The fragrant steam wafted up to her nose and she sucked in the comforting, warm scent. She looked to the person who was in the room with her. Yuffie flashed a quick grin their way before sipping her tea.

"I don't know. Why are you, Yuf?" Squall asked, a slight smile creeping across his face. Aerith had gone to resume her duties at the hospital for the time being. It was just Yuffie and Squall in the Green Room. The young ninja faked a look of annoyance and snorted mockingly.

Yuffie shook her head and sat down the mug. Stretching, she yawned and pushed the fluffy covers away from her body. She stood, pausing a moment as a wave of dizziness overcame her sense, and slowly walked over to the smirking Squall Leonhart.

She wagged a finger in front of his face, smiling. He caught her hands in his and brought his lips down to her. Yuffie attempted to wriggle out of his arms, but he only pulled her tighter. A laugh escaped her mouth when a hand grazed over a ticklish spot on her side. Squall grinned mischievously, and he started tickling her, merciless when she pleaded for him to stop.

When Squall finally stopped, Yuffie had tears in her eyes from laughing so hard. She tiredly sank onto the bed and pulled Squall down next to her.

"You're going to get it for that," she told him, trying not to smile. He saw through that poor disguise, however.

"Oh really?" he replied, kissing her again. She didn't resist at all, and soon their kisses were deepening. Squall freed her lips and scattered kisses along her jaw, to her earlobe, then down her neck.

"Why are you nibbling me?" she asked him. He looked at her, his face clearly sporting the 'you've got to be kidding me' look.

"Because I want to, Yuf," he said.

"Do I taste good?" she inquired with a giggle, knowing full well that it was one of the stupidest questions she could ask at the moment, but enjoyed the asking.

Squall laughed. "Yes, of course."

Yuffie escaped from his grasp and leaned against the headboard. Squall moved next to her, and she settled into his strong arms. He set his chin on top of her head and exhaled his breath.

"I love you, Squall," Yuffie murmured into his chest.

"I love you too," he replied, his voice rumbling in her ear. She could hear his heart beat, and rhythmic thumps somehow reminded her of the unpleasantness she would have to share with him about Caine. Frowning, she sat up and looked at Squall, her gaze meeting his perceptive sapphire eyes.

"But there's something I have to tell you. It's really awful... and you'll be so disappointed in me. Except I have to tell you before our relationship truly starts. So... will you listen?"

"Of course, Yuf," he said. "But I will not be disappointed. You can't disappoint me," Squall told her sternly. She didn't choose to respond to that, only took a deep breath and swallowed nervously.

"Okay. Here goes nothing."

"Well, in your absence, I was a complete and total mess. Physically, my arm was useless for a while. But I was a wreck emotionally too. I was devastated because I thought you were dead. I was angry with both you and Caine for starting that stupid argument, and I was angry with myself for doing everything wrong. There was no one I could turn to. Aerith suddenly became distant, you were supposed dead, and I'd never been close to anyone else. I found solace in the only place I could find. That was with Caine."

"It started as nothing more than friendship, but it evolved into more of a relationship. We were dating, officially. He and I kissed on more than one occasion." Yuffie could tell this annoyed and angered Squall. She continued on anyway. "And I thought that the empty feeling would go away. It didn't, though. It only became a giant, angry, gaping hole where my heart had been."

"I could only continue on as normal. That's when Caine changed. Or maybe I did. I don't know." She shook her head. "He started demanding things of me. Sure, I hated him shoving his tongue down my throat, but what was I to do? He was going to tell Aerith lies about me if I didn't oblige. Now that I look back on it, it would have been better for him to tell Aerith because then I could explain to her what was going on. But... I wasn't thinking. Gawd, it was so awful!" Her throat tightened and she started crying. "I mean, he was one step away from raping me! I was so scared. Oh gawd, Squall, I was so scared," she finished, falling into his arms sobbing.

Squall Leonhart was furious. Not with Yuffie, he could never be angry like that with Yuffie. But with Caine Stokes. That lying, filthy bastard; that son of a bitch, he thought. All he wanted to do now was run Stokes through with the Gunblade.

Yuffie calmed down slightly, and stopped crying. "I'm so, so, so sorry," she whispered. Squall hugged her tightly.

"There's nothing to forgive, Yuffums. I'm mad at Stokes," Squall replied.

"What should we do to punish him? She asked, almost gleefully.

"What would you like to do to him?" he inquired.

"How about we castrate him?"

Squall coughed and attempted to hide his laughter. Yuffie cocked an eyebrow at him, amazed by the stoic lion's outburst. He'd changed... but she liked the change.

I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
And the reason is you

"Which reminds me of something else." Squall nodded, prompting Yuffie to continue on with what she was saying.

"Well... umm... it's kind of embarrassing, actually, and..." her face turned beet red and she turned away from him... trying to get rid of the crimson color. "I mean, it's sort of personal, and it's stupid, and... I don't know how to tell you," she finally said.

When Squall didn't say anything, she burst out with, "FINE! I know you want me to say it, and so I will. I'm scared of sex."

Squall blinked a couple of times, surprised by what she was saying. "I mean, just what Caine was doing scared me, and I don't really mind the kissing and stuff, but I know our relationship will get more intense and everything, and... I just want to make my intentions known. I don't really want to have sex until I'm married, alright?" she asked, rubbing her arm nervously. Squall hugged her.

"Of course. I wouldn't want you to feel badly about it." He looked at her, a tender expression in his eyes. "Although you really don't need to be scared. But I respect your decision, Yuffie."

"Thank you, Squall," Yuffie replied, hugging Squall back. When she finally got out of his arms, she smiled and gave him a small kiss on the lips. "I knew you'd understand."

There came a knock at the door. Yuffie frantically glanced over at Squall, who motioned towards the door. He slipped into the Red Room, but didn't close the door all the way so that he could hear whoever it was at Yuffie's door.

Nervously, Yuffie slowly opened the door. Her heart stopped beating for a second, and she swallowed the scared lump in her throat. "Hello, Caine," she said, forcing cheerfulness into her tone. Squall's knuckles were white as he grasped on to the door handle.

"Why, hello, Yuffie. I'm happy to see that you are feeling better. Aerith said you had broken open that wound again. Now what have we told you about throwing shuriken?" Caine teased, placing a heavy hand on Yuffie's shoulder and forcing her to sit on the bed.

"Oh, I know. But I wanted to go out and destroy some Heartless. I got a couple!" she exclaimed. Yuffie really was a marvelous actress. All Squall wanted to do was go out and strangle the man. But he held himself back.

"Would you be up to a date tonight?" Caine asked her sweetly, brushing a stray lock of ebony hair out of her pale face.

"I really don't think so. I'm pretty much wiped out from all of that... and I don't know if I could last through supper!" She yawned and blinked a couple of times to make it look like she was tired.

"Come on, Yuffie, are you avoiding me?" Caine inquired in a low voice. Her eyes widened, and she leaned away from him, but shook her head no. "Well then why are you scooting away?" He leaned down to plant a kiss on her lips, but she quickly stood and walked to the other side of the room.

Squall looked longingly at his Gunblade that was sitting by the bed, and near Caine. His only hope to overthrow the man was to jump him, stun him for a second, and grab the Gunblade. He stood behind the door, watching.

"You wouldn't want me to tell Aerith anything, would you?" he threatened, moving closer and pinning her against the wall.

Squall, furious, rushed out from the Red Room and tackled Caine, punching his nose. Caine was shocked, but quickly retaliated by launching Squall off of him and standing. The Gunblade wielder fell backwards, but got back on his feet.

"What the hell are you doing here, Leonhart? You're supposed to be gone!" Caine asked in obvious surprise. Squall glared at him.

"Just call me a ghost. After all, you said I was dead," he growled, circling around so that he would be nearer to the Gunblade. Caine was completely oblivious to the fact that Squall was attempting to get his weapon.

"But I made sure you thought Yuffie was dead. Why did you come back here?" Caine asked him angrily.

"A friend knocked some sense into me." Squall inched closer to the Gunblade. "You're done with Yuffie. I know what you've been pressuring her into doing. And it's over." He picked up the Gunblade and sliced the air. "You're as good as dead."

Caine scrambled to his feet and inched towards the door. "This isn't a fair fight."

"No, but it wasn't fair that you pressured an injured girl into doing things to satisfy your sick mind. Face it, you don't deserve a fair fight."

"I beg to differ," Caine replied before slipping out the door and quickly exiting the Hotel. Squall would have pursued him, but Yuffie held him back.

"He'll cast magic, and you'll get hurt. Wait, Squall. You can beat him anyway, even with a sword. I know you can," she pleaded with him clutching one of his muscular arms tightly. Squall looked down at her, smiled, and stopped trying to follow Caine.

"You're right... I know he'll be around tonight... in the same place I fought him at before. Only this time, you're not jumping in front of him. Got it?" Yuffie nodded and Squall hugged the shinobi close to him.

Caine watched from the shadows of the balcony, observing where the lion's weakness was. When he found all the information he needed, he swiftly left and went to formulate his plan. There was so much to do, and so little time to do it.

Aerith escaped from the confining spaces of the hospital, wanting nothing more than to go home and take a nice, long, hot shower. It had been a taxing day, and her magic was worn out. She popped in a spare ether, just in case the Heartless would come out, and went towards the Second District.

Something didn't quite feel right, though. There was something wrong in the little town, something that unsettled her nerves. And she knew that it had to do with her friends, the people she held near and dear to her heart.

All of a sudden, Yuffie burst through the doors to the Second District, calling Aerith's name. The Flower Girl was visibly shaken, and she ran over to the frantic ninja. She had to calm down the girl before she could even understand a word Yuffie was saying.

"Squall is fighting Caine!" She gasped out. "And Caine is really good. I left quickly so that I could find you. Squall might need backup." Yuffie grabbed Aerith's wrist and pulled her through the doors to the Third District. Aerith was very worried, and she placed another ether in her mouth.

Yuffie pushed open the doors to the Third District with difficulty. Aerith realized that there was a spell preventing anyone from entering the District. She reached into the far recesses of her mind, looking for a counter, anything that would allow the two into the District. If Caine had mastered a challenging spell like this, Squall would be in a whole world of trouble.

Finally, the spell was released and the two young women entered the wide-open area. Squall and Caine were furiously battling, parry, thrust, parry, thrust. Squall was blocking shots more than he was attacking, and even though Aerith had limited fighting experience, she knew that wasn't good. She prepared a simple healing spell for when Squall would surely falter.

That was when Yuffie, being foolishly in love, ran in front of Squall this time, blocking Caine's blow. Caine had enough control over his attack to stop, but a wicked smile was plastered across his handsome features.

"How familiar. I remember something similar to this happening; only you were blocking Leonhart's attack. Charming, Yuffie. Only... I'd feel no remorse in killing you." Caine slapped her hard, and his physical prowess combined with his magical force made her slam back into the wall, unconscious. Aerith gasped and ran over to the girl, murmuring cure spells until her hands glowed with an ethereal green light.

"Foolish girl," Caine laughed, directing his harsh comment towards Squall. "Of course, she fell in love with you, Leonhart. That has got to be one of the stupidest things she's ever done, no?"

Squall growled at Caine, a deep, guttural noise emanating from his throat. "You'll regret the day you were born, Caine. You'll regret it." Squall charged at Caine, his Gunblade raised. Caine dodged the attack and kicked Squall in the stomach, smiling at the satisfying sound of bone crunching.

Squall stepped back, clearly in pain. His vision was hazy, and he knew he wouldn't be able to keep fighting. Caine sliced Squall across the stomach, blood gushing out of the deep wound. Squall fell to the ground, bleeding and choking up the crimson death.

"I knew you'd never beat me, Leonhart. I guess the lion loses after all. A pity. But at least now I will take your sword," Caine walked over to the crippled lion and kicked him again, just for good measure. Then he bent down to pick up the weapon.

"Not on your life," shouted someone from the other end of the arena. Aerith floated in the air, green light shrouding her being and making her seem more like a creature from another time. Caine faltered and stepped back from the sword, looking up at the frail, gentle woman who had transformed into this sorceress.

"Please help me, Cloud," Aerith whispered. Green light surrounded the fallen warriors, Yuffie and Squall. They floated into the air also, their cuts and wounds closing over, bones healing, color returning to their faces. And then their eyes opened. Aerith set them back down on the ground, and then fell from her hovering point onto the hard pavement, seemingly dead.

"Oh my god, Aerith! Aerith, wake up! Wake up!" Yuffie pleaded with the Flower Girl, tears streaming out of her indigo orbs. She turned her attention towards Caine, picking up the sack of shuriken and saying the words to a few attacking spells Aerith had taught her under her breath.

Squall stood, a bit shaky, picking up his Gunblade. He advanced on the shocked man and thrust the Gunblade at him. Caine barely blocked the blow. Then he was back to normal. Only, Aerith's last spell had given both Yuffie and Squall enough power and energy, and life force to take on this tough opponent.

That was when Caine made one fatal mistake. He tried to attack Yuffie first. Squall was enraged, his fury making the Gunblade a pale, holy white, burning with passion. Squall cut him down until he lay on the pavement, bleeding and bruised, but still conscious.

Yuffie took pity on the man, however. She took Squall's arm to stop him from giving the final blow to Caine. Tears were in her eyes, and she shook her head. While she hated him, hated him more than anything in the world, she couldn't kill another human being. Not like this.

Squall turned away, walking towards the fallen Flower Girl. Caine took his sword and made one last stab Squall's way, hitting his leg and making the lion falter and turn around.

Yuffie took up the Gunblade. "I pitied you. I thought that this near death experience would make you think about things. But you'll never change. And I hate you." With that, she took the Gunblade and stabbed him through his chest.

"Good... bye... Yuf-" Caine's eyes glazed over as his blood flowed onto the pavement. Yuffie dropped down to the ground, tears pouring out of her eyes. It began to rain.

[a/n] I was so excited writing this. I hope you enjoyed reading it! Please review for me!